Drug interactions
Mercaptopurine + Poliovirus vaccine inactivated
Severity: Moderate
Mercaptopurine and Poliovirus vaccine inactivated: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Mercaptopurine may reduce the immune response to inactivated poliovirus vaccine. The vaccine is non-live and can be given safely, but seroprotection may be inadequate.
What this interaction means in plain words
Mercaptopurine and Poliovirus vaccine inactivated can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Immunosuppression from purine antimetabolite activity impairs antibody production against vaccine antigens.
What to do
Give inactivated polio vaccine before starting mercaptopurine when possible. If given during therapy, consider checking serology or revaccinating once immune function has recovered.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Mercaptopurine
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Azathioprine + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Febuxostat + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Mercaptopurine Contraindicated
- Mercaptopurine + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Mercaptopurine with Poliovirus vaccine inactivated?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Mercaptopurine and Poliovirus vaccine inactivated can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Mercaptopurine may reduce the immune response to inactivated poliovirus vaccine. The vaccine is non-live and can be given safely, but seroprotection may be inadequate.
How serious is the interaction between Mercaptopurine and Poliovirus vaccine inactivated?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give inactivated polio vaccine before starting mercaptopurine when possible. If given during therapy, consider checking serology or revaccinating once immune function has recovered.
What other medicines interact with Mercaptopurine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mercaptopurine with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Azathioprine, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Mercaptopurine page.
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